Nintendo pre-TGS press conference round-up: Mario, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, Final Fantasy, and a new Misty Pink 3DS for the ladies

It might be considered odd that Nintendo declines year after year to take part in the Tokyo Game Show, but that doesn’t mean it's shy about pre-empting TGS with a hefty list of new titles and content for its 3DS handheld announced at a pre-show event.

Particularly with said handheld still reeling from a dodgy launch peppered with a mediocre range of titles and last month's confidence-sapping price drop.

The start of the 3DS press conference didn't help matters, and almost made the plight of the 3DS seem utterly hopeless, as it focused on Wii-based Zelda outing Skyward Sword, which, although pretty awesome looking, did nothing to assuage the fear of us 3DS-owning pocket gamers.

But once the Skyward clouds parted and a self-confessed embarrassed Miyamoto stepped from the stage, the 3DS was hit by a veritable glut of announced content, making it all worthwhile (and that's coming from someone who was up at 4am local time to watch it all unfold).

No fewer than five Mario titles were announced and dated. That's five. Yes, really: FIVE.

Super Mario 3D Land will be hitting Japanese shops on November 1st, with Mario Kart 7 following a month later on December 1st.

Paper Mario, Mario Tennis, and Mario & Sonic at the London Olympics were all given a somewhat less specific release date of 2012.

We had a hands-on with Luigi’s Mansion 2 earlier this year, with our very own Will praising it for bringing the same great gameplay of the original to the 3DS. That’ll also be turning up in 2012.

But, forget Mario. Headlining the conference was Monster Hunter Tri 3G and a newly announced title in the series, Monster Hunter 4. Tri 3G is an updated version of the Wii's Monster Hunter Tri, and is set to enable 3DS gamers to dice beasties in the handheld's home territory from December 10th.

Monster Hunter 4, meanwhile, is an entirely new entry to the series. It wasn’t given a specific date.

Perhaps the more salient aspect of the Monster Hunter announcements, however, was the distinct lack of a certain freakish Circle Pad accessory, which was revealed last week. (It was, mind, quietly priced and dated for the same day as Monster Hunter Tri 3G's debut shortly after the conference finished.)

Sandwiched between the big boys were several other interesting-looking outings. Square Enix will be bringing a fresh new franchise to the handheld in its dubiously titled Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Whether that title survives the localisation process is another matter – we won’t be holding our breath.

But there were more likely contenders for western release. RPG fans will no doubt remember the original Fire Emblem, and they should be glad to read a new 3D Fire Emblem will be coming to 3DS next year, complete with a two-player mode.

There was also an announcement of a Final Fantasy rhythm-action game – Final Fantasy Theatrhythm – which features characters from all Final Fantasy games I to XIII.

Other announcements included Animal Crossing will be coming to 3DS next year, as will the now-delayed Kid Icarus: Uprising.

Joining these revelations were Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble, Tekken 3D: Prime Edition, Biohazard Revelations (Resident Evil to you and me), Dynasty Warriors VS, and G Generation Gundam.

It wasn't all exciting news, though. The conference came complete with a good deal of pap, including a squealing school girl-based rythym-action title called Project Mirai, which, touch wood, will remain in its home country.

There was also a strange interlude involving two Mii avatars falling in love and getting married to announce the sequel to the Japan-only title Tomodachi Collection (Friend Collection). Check out the images if you don’t believe me.

Hardly the sort of thing that will turn the 3DS's fortunes around, although the 'hard-hitting' titles announced should go some way to redeeming the handheld's standing within the gaming community. Whether they'll be enough on their own is another matter.

But, fear not, for Nintendo has a plan. During the conference, company CEO Satoru Iwata also announced the company's intention to remedy the fact that only 45 per cent of 3DS owners are female by launching a 'Misty Pink'-coloured 3DS.

Convinced, ladies?